Jesus Doesn't Look Like Jesus Anymore, Says Scholar

Amid a technology-driven culture where latest means better, it may not surprise many to find out that historical Jesus has also received a makeover.

He used to be known as Messiah, Son of God, Redeemer and Christ. Now, he's spiritual guru, philosopher, political pundit, hippie, and rock star.

Will the real Jesus please stand up?

Ben Witherington, author of "What Have They Done to Jesus?," observes that today's image of Jesus has ranged from historical to hysterical in a society that is becoming increasingly less Christian.

"He is an icon but also a swear word," Witherington said Thursday to The Christian Post.

"When your culture is biblically illiterate, anything can pass for Jesus," added the New Testament professor at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Ky.

Even takes on Jesus that borrow from Buddhist philosophy and Gnosticism are finding an audience.

This is true for the Jesus seen in Deepak Chopra's "The Third Jesus: The Christ We Cannot Ignore." In his latest book, the "body-mind" Indian doctor attempts to argue that Jesus was a spiritual guru whose teaching sought to lead people toward the highest level of enlightenment or "god-consciousness."